Lord Sainsbury of Turville: My honourable friend the Minister for Energy (Malcolm Wicks) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	The Government have today given consent under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to Npower Renewables Ltd's application to build 26 turbines with a capacity of up to 78MW, at Little Cheyne Court, near Dungeness.
	Following objections by the relevant local planning authorities, the Government held a public inquiry into the application and appointed Clive Richardson, an inspector from the Planning Inspectorate to preside over it. Mr Richardson recommended the application be granted.
	The decision to grant consent was taken after extensive and thorough consideration of the representations received, both for and against consent being granted. The extensive, independent public inquiry ensured that community and environmental concerns were heard.
	We are aware that this decision will come as a disappointment to those local people who opposed the application. Conversely, the decision will be welcomed by those local people who supported the application. Today's approval takes into account the concerns raised, and includes a number of conditions recommended by the inquiry inspector to mitigate any impacts.
	This wind farm will generate clean, renewable electricity and make a vital contribution towards reducing carbon emissions and meeting the UK's international obligations on tackling climate change.
	Copies of the decision letter have been placed in the Library of the House.